Abstract
Vegetation Sampling and Classification in National Park Service Projects Track: Parks and Natural Reserves Author(s): Todd Keeler-Wolf Detailed maps, classifications, and descriptions of vegetation have been developed for National Park Service (NPS) projects through the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program. In these projects, large datasets of field surveys are amassed to represent and verify repeated patterns of vegetation across the landscape. Field surveys are allocated in two approaches: first, by a random-stratified approach directed by biophysical analysis in GIS of the main environmental variables that drive vegetation patterns, and second, by field staff making on-the-ground determinations of common and unusual vegetation patterns that characteristically repeat in a landscape. Field surveys then are conducted using two different semi-quantitative techniques--a plot-based relevé protocol, and a stand-based vegetation rapid assessment method. Subsequently, the data are analyzed with multivariate statistics, and classifications are constructed using National Vegetation Classification Standards to describe and map vegetation at Alliance and Association levels. Todd Keeler-Wolf California Department of Fish and Game Biogeographic Data Branch 1807 13th St. Room 202 Sacramento , CA 95814 US Phone: 916-324-6857 Fax: 916-324-0475 E-mail: tkwolf@dfg.ca.gov |
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